Insulating device backpack

Abstract

An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure may also prevent any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. The insulating device may include a back panel support structure and shoulder straps allowing the device to be worn as a backpack. This construction results in an insulating chamber that is substantially impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An insulating device backpack, comprising:
 an outer shell having a cuboidal shape, further comprising:
 a first sidewall defining a front portion of the insulating device backpack; and 
 a second sidewall and a third sidewall defining side portions of the insulating device backpack, and a fourth sidewall defining a back portion of the insulating device backpack; 
 
 an inner liner forming a storage compartment; 
 an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and the inner liner, the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment; 
 a back panel support structure externally coupled to the forth sidewall of the outer shell and a binding extending around an edge of the back panel support structure, wherein the back panel support structure covers a portion, less than a total surface of the fourth sidewall; 
 a shoulder strap, coupled to a top edge and a lower side edge of the binding that extends around the back panel support structure; 
 a waist strap, removably coupled to the fourth sidewall by two split-ring fasteners, wherein each of the two split-ring fasteners comprises an elongated loop element with a gap configured to receive a lower attachment loop that is coupled to the fourth sidewall; 
 an opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment; 
 a closure adapted to substantially seal the opening, the closure being substantially waterproof so as to resist liquid from exiting the opening when the insulating device backpack is in any orientation; and 
 a handle, wherein a plurality of venting holes extend through the outer shell and are positioned underneath the handle, 
 wherein the opening extends through the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and at least a portion of the fourth sidewall. 
 
     
     
       2. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the back panel support structure comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, and wherein the inner layer of the back panel support structure comprises compression molded ethylene-vinyl acetate. 
     
     
       3. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of venting holes are not visible from an exterior of the insulating device backpack. 
     
     
       4. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the closure is substantially waterproof so as to resist liquid from exiting the opening when the insulating device backpack is filled completely with water and is dropped from a distance of six feet. 
     
     
       5. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the outer shell defines a bottom wall extending in a first plane and wherein the inner liner is secured to the outer shell in a second plane extending perpendicular to the first plane. 
     
     
       6. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the inner liner is formed of a first piece and a second piece and wherein the first piece is joined to the second piece by way of a weld to define a seam and wherein the seam is covered with a seam tape. 
     
     
       7. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the inner liner is formed by way of injection molding. 
     
     
       8. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the closure is a zipper and is substantially waterproof and wherein the zipper comprises a pull, the pull being formed of a cloth, string, or rope. 
     
     
       9. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  further comprising a lid assembly and a body assembly. 
     
     
       10. The insulating device backpack of  claim 9  wherein the lid assembly and the body assembly together form the inner liner, the insulating layer, and the outer shell. 
     
     
       11. The insulating device backpack  claim 9  wherein the lid assembly includes at least a portion of the insulation layer. 
     
     
       12. The insulating device backpack of  claim 9  wherein the lid assembly includes a reinforcement layer that is more rigid than the inner liner, the insulating layer, and the outer shell. 
     
     
       13. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the insulating layer floats between the inner liner and the outer shell. 
     
     
       14. The insulating device backpack of  claim 1  wherein the insulating layer is attached to the inner liner or the outer shell. 
     
     
       15. An insulating device comprising:
 an outer shell defining a first sidewall; 
 an inner liner forming a storage compartment; 
 an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and the inner liner, the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment; 
 a second sidewall and a third sidewall defining side portions of the insulating device, and a fourth sidewall defining a back portion of the insulating device; 
 a back panel support structure externally coupled to fourth sidewall of the outer shell and a binding extending around an edge of the back panel support structure, wherein the back panel support structure covers a portion, less than a total surface of the fourth sidewall; 
 a shoulder strap, coupled to a top edge and a lower side edge of the binding that extends around the back panel support structure; 
 an opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment; 
 a closure adapted to substantially seal the opening, the closure being substantially waterproof so as to resist liquid from exiting the opening when the insulating device is in any orientation; and 
 a handle, wherein a plurality of venting holes extend through the outer shell and are positioned underneath the handle. 
 
     
     
       16. The insulating device of  claim 15 , wherein the opening extends through the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and at least a portion of the fourth sidewall. 
     
     
       17. The insulating device of  claim 15  wherein the insulating device is in a shape of a cuboid. 
     
     
       18. The insulating device of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of venting holes are not visible from an exterior of the insulating device. 
     
     
       19. The insulating device of  claim 15  wherein the inner liner is formed of a first piece and a second piece and wherein the first piece is joined to the second piece by way of a weld to define a seam and wherein the seam is covered with a seam tape. 
     
     
       20. The insulating device of  claim 15  wherein the inner liner is formed by way of injection molding. 
     
     
       21. A method comprising:
 forming a body assembly by forming a lower outer shell having a first sidewalls defining a front portion of the body assembly, second and third sidewalls defining side portions of the body assembly, and a fourth sidewall defining a back portion of the body assembly, placing a lower insulating layer into the lower outer shell, and securing a lower inner liner portion to the lower outer shell, wherein the lower outer shell comprises a handle and a plurality of venting holes that extend through the lower outer shell and are positioned underneath the handle; 
 forming a lid assembly of an upper outer shell, an upper inner liner portion and an upper insulating layer therebetween; 
 forming a back panel support structure and joining the back panel support structure to fourth sidewall of the body assembly, a binding extending around an edge of the back panel support structure, wherein the back panel support structure covers a portion, less than a total surface of the fourth sidewall; 
 forming a shoulder strap and joining the shoulder strap to a top edge and a lower side edge of the binding that extends around the back panel support structure; and 
 joining the lid assembly to the body assembly by securing a closure between the lid assembly and the body assembly and by securing a binding material to the body assembly and the lid assembly. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein the lower insulating layer floats between the lower outer shell and the lower inner liner portion.